Power and efficiency analysis of an endoreversible closed intercooled regenerated Brayton cycle

In this paper, finite-time thermodynamics (FTT) is applied to analyse the performance of an endoreversible closed intercooled regenerated Brayton cycle coupled with variable-temperature heat reservoirs. The analytical formulae of dimensionless power and efficiency are thus derived. The intercooling pressure ratio is optimised for maximum power and maximum efficiency, respectively. The effects of component (the intercooler, the regenerator and the hot- and cold-side heat exchangers) effectiveness; the thermal capacity rate of the working fluid; the heat reservoir inlet temperature ratio; the inlet temperature ratio of the cooling fluid in the intercooler and the cold-side heat reservoir on maximum power and its corresponding efficiency and corresponding intercooling pressure ratio, as well as maximum efficiency and its corresponding power and corresponding intercooling pressure ratio are analysed by detailed numerical examples. Some results in the recent FTT literature are replicated.